Drivers Caught Running Red Lights

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Original Title:Stockton Drivers Nabbed for Running Red Lights

A red traffic light means stop, but plenty of Stockton drivers apparently thought they could get away with something less on Monday (December 12, 2005).

Stockton police units staked out the busy intersection of Pershing and Fremont streets. Over and over officers observed drivers failing to come to a complete stop at a red light. Officers were quick to point out that the so-called California or Hollywood stop where the vehicle continues rolling doesn't count.

Officers stopped one woman after she barely slowed to make a right turn on a red light. "Do you think you stopped?" asked the police officer. "Stopped enough," was her reply.

According to police Sgt. Chuck Flesher, incomplete stops are just as bad as simply running through a red light or stop sign. "People who think a Hollywood stop is close enough, those are the ones that wind up in collisions," he said.

By mid-afternoon, police had pulled over 50 drivers for red light violations. Citations for running a red light can be as high as $338.

Monday's operation was paid for by a grant from the state Office of Traffic Safety.

In addition to the police enforcement effort, cameras positioned at 11 Stockton intersections are helping to catch those who fail to take red lights seriously.

(This story was provided by News10 KXTV Sacramento.)

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